Perth's northern suburbs suffer disastrous book drought

I am very frustrated at the moment. Things have gone from bad to worse in this neck of the woods. I live just a little south of Geraldton (okay, I'm exaggerating - it's a little south of Yanchep). We are a new growth area on the northern fringe of Perth. Many, many new families live out this way.

The Ocean Keys shopping complex came to our neighbourhood several years ago. Suddenly we had several retailers including a bookshop. It wasn't fancy, but still ... it did sell books. Now it has closed (another one bites the dust!)

So, we must make-do with such exquisite book retailers as 'Coles', 'Woolworths' and 'The Salvation Army'.

UH-OH.

So, in a flash of panic I contacted a children's book retailer recommended to me by some very knowledgable children's book enthusiasts. I will be taking approximately 100 QUALITY children's books (including many by local authors and illustrators) to the six playgroup sessions at my local community centre in a couple of weeks.

THERE.

That's all I can do for now, but I figure it's worth something. I'm not profiting from it, but the playgroup will, because the very kind retailer offers 10% of the sales towards new books for the organisation. This wonderful retailer does not have a website that I can link to, but I do think you should call Child Education Services on 9225 6516 if you feel the urge to do something similar. What a great fundraiser for your school, playgroup or other organisation.

Cheers,
Caz

Going cuckoo over Twitter

The past few days have been MAD. Have I been preparing for my trip to the northern hemisphere? Ummm... I think so! Does it feel like it? Nuh-uh! The conference is really SOON and I have real things to do, but...

I have just joined the Twitter revolution (am I late?) I think I have a lot of catching up to do. What the...? So many #s and @s and RTs and #iamstumped. I have to admit that it's getting a little out of control. I am spending more time on TweetDeck than in my word processing software. Not good!

I suppose I need to spend some quality time with Twitter to begin with. We need to get to know each other. Twitter cares about me, doesn't it? Little birdy, let me hear those sweet tweets so I know there are other writers out there avoiding writing just like me!

I think I need a fail whale to save me from this new addiction.

Oh, if you are checking in with me for the first time - hello! It's really great to have you. Are you also addicted to social networking? Can I succeed as a writer with all of this social networking to do?

Caz

P.S. Wanna be my Twitter friend?